Following the release of the NHS England’s new blueprint to support primary care the CCA examines the involvement of the community pharmacy sector in the plan:
Our members are acutely aware of the challenges currently being faced across primary care. The CCA welcomes NHS England’s recognition of the value the community pharmacy sector can provide to primary care by delivering key services such as the Community Pharmacist Consultation Service (CPCS) and their increasing clinical work such as forward-thinking oral contraception pilots. We are pleased to see the CPCS acknowledged as a key asset to support patient access and alleviate GP appointments.
There is, however, a need to recognise the interdependencies of primary care. The challenges patients are experiencing in accessing care can only be solved by supporting every part of the workforce, and that includes community pharmacy. There are significant pressures mounting on community pharmacy, particularly on resource and capacity, therefore to enable pharmacies to deliver on a greater scale an increased investment is required. Only through a holistic approach can patients’ needs be truly met.